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Natural Gas Soars on Cold Weather; Oil Falls Slightly

U.S. drivers paid an average of $3.26 a gallon for gasoline, down $0.09 from this time a year ago.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The price of oil fell slightly Monday, the first decline in seven trading sessions.

Benchmark U.S. crude for January delivery slipped $0.31 to $97.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil had gained $5.35 a barrel, or 5.8%, over the previous six trading days.

Meanwhile, natural gas rose above $4.20 for the first time since May 28, on the likelihood that homeowners turned up the heat to try to shake off the effects of two wintry storms that plowed across the country. Forecasts are for colder than normal temperatures in the Midwest this week.